You may have heard Dr Michael Moseleys latest 'Just one Thing' on BBC iplayer - scientific study seems to show that two or three spoonfuls of milled flaxseed daily can have surprisingly positive benefits for the heart, and inflammation - which is thought to be part of the AF story.
Apparently the flaxseed needs to be milled, if it's not it goes straight through ..
sending good wishes ..
Flax seed is high in magnesium so a more natural alternative to taking a supplement . I have it on my porridge or in kafir yogurt 🙂
I've been eating a couple of tablespoons of milled flaxseed every day for over 8 years. I originally started because of constipation but sure enough my blood pressure has never been a problem, triglycerides are amazingly low and A1C excellent also a side benefit is my skin looking not too bad. Also echo showed a normal heart, and other tests show no blockage in arteries. But unfortunately it didn't help avoid my flutter diagnosis. Fingers crossed it does help me avoid a stroke along with my apixaban med as a backup. Interesting article on flaxseeds, they are a powerhouse of nutrients.
A good few years ago when I was on warfarin I bought a pack of mixed milled flax seeds, goji seeds and other nutrients, from aldi I think.
I started having it mixed with greek natural yogurt for breakfast and loved it. It was really delicious.
The next time I went for my inr test the nurse testing the sample was saying “ it’s not stopping “ as the number just kept climbing. I cannot remember the exact number my score went to but it was very high. As far as I know nothing else had changed in my diet at the time.
I’m on apixaban now so don’t have much restriction on diet but have still never had the flax seed mix again, I don’t know if I should still avoid foods that reacted badly with warfarin or if they are perfectly ok for me now.
I’d love to have the seeds and yogurt for breakfast again. The magnesium mentioned by Doodle 68 appeals to me too.
I take Warfarin but in my morning home made cooked muesli type breakfast I put half a teaspoon of Flaxseed (Source of fibre, protein, high in Omega 3, it contributes to muscle growth energy and cholesterol) and also half a teaspoon of Chia Bia (ground chia seeds which are rich in Omega 3 to maintain a normal blood cholesterol. Protein helps towards the growth of muscle mass. Copper contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism. Phosphorus helps maintain bones and teeth).
You may say I need more fibre, but Buckwheat Flakes a seed not wheat is the base I use instead of oats, this is fibre enough I can tell you - no bowel problems when you include buckwheat in your diet, I use a heaped dessertspoonful.
Other things I add to my cooked muesli are dates, sultanas, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. I also alternate adding a small quarter teaspoon of either cinnamon or ginger powder.
Jean
That sounds delicious Jean. Do you add any oil? I’ve also started making homemade cooked muesli and add a spoon of coconut oil. (Half the amount given in recipe! I also leave out egg white and sugar /honey that many granola recipes seem to include. I must try the buckwheat flakes too.
I forgot to add that I make it with lactose free milk. I don't think I'm lactose intolerant but after a period seeing if I was, found that I prefer that milk. I put mine in the microwave for 2 minutes, take out and stir, then put back for another 2 minutes. Often add more milk as it cooks as it needs lots.
No I don't add any oil.
Jean
Ah, a different process. Mines toasted like granola but have enjoyed cooked muesli in milk in past.
Hi Jean … l buy ground flaxseed along with ground chia seeds in bags … mix the two together in a large glass canister and put a teaspoon and one half in a small glass of prune juice … drink it each morning … never miss a potty break each and every morning … seems to help my afib … fewer episodes and just very healthy … never ill … ever! Thank you My Dear Almighty. Hope all is well Jean. Best, Jan
Hi Jan, yes I also buy both items ready ground but I add them to my breakfast muesli. Interesting how you take yours, it sounds a good tip for forum members.
I'm keeping well and am pleased to hear that you are too.
Jean
Yes lots of nice ingredients there. I prefer to grind up any seeds - especially pumpkin - lazy I know but I also think the nutrients must be absorbed better. I haven't thought of grinding up the chia seeds tho - they pop up throughout the day to remind me - they are so small and seem to find lots of hidey holes.
You can buy Chia seeds ready milled, they're called Chia Bia, H&B sell them or can buy online. I'm always thinking about grinding my pumpkin and sunflower seeds, it would save on the chewing time. Honestly the time I make and then eat it must take a good half an hour!
Jean
It would be nice for you to reduce the amount of Warfarin you take. I take 3mg x 5 days and 4mg x 2. How much do you take?
Hi Jean
I no longer take warfarin, I’m on Apixaban now, after I stopped the flaxseed mix my inr levels came back down.
I was just wondering if I’d be ok having the mix again now I’m on apixaban as it works differently and I’d like to go back to having it for breakfast with Greek yogurt.
I’d forgotten also how good pumpkin seeds are, I could put some of those in as well.
The only thing I know about Apixaban, is that my AF nurse said she thought she'd never recommend anything over Warfarin, but had changed her mind because she'd only ever had good reports about Apixaban.
Jean
I like it very much, less appointments, though I miss the lovely nurses who were a great help when I was stuck in very symptomatic afib and not seeing anyone else.
And also not having to stress about eating the right thing for my inr. I know it’s not that big a deal but if I can stress about something then I will.🙄
I will be having a look to see if there is any info out there regarding flax, Goji and other seeds with apixaban.
I eat flaxseed with other things in it eg pumpkin seeds among others. Wondering whether I should just go for plain milled as I see from label the flaxseed is 46% of total. I take magnesium supplement too. I've taken it for a few years and I'm on Apixaban if that helps.
Thanks yes very helpful that you are using the seeds with apixaban with no problems, I do take a magnesium taurate but it’s a lower dose than the one I was previously on so any extra from diet would be a bonus.
Hi. I mill my own as it's much cheaper. I buy the brown flax seeds online and use our electric coffee grinder.
I also mill cocoa nibs. I combine these with raw oats, dried vine fruit, chia seeds. I make up 4 or 5 jam jars with this mix, add water, and leave. They often get a bit fizzy - fermented is good according to Mosely. If I get hungry between meals I have a jar - better than cake or biscuits.
Overnight fermented oats! Or Bircher Muesli. Also good with raw grated apple.
Sounds interesting.
I’ve seen reference to this and have previously tried it. It’s not the most pleasant thing to take, I found.
I shall look again though as the idea of reducing inflammation seems an altogether good thing.
Thanks for the information.
Steve
My husband really doesn’t like the flavour or texture. I’m now making my own granola (similar to Jean’s recipe above) and it’s so tasty he doesn’t even know it’s there!
My wife makes muesli. I did put it in that, but the taste wasn't well masked. I shall try again. I take psyllium husk instead these days. It's for constipation and IBS (it's the same as Fybogel without the additives and packaging, in fact)
Steve
Try mixing in a spoon of melted coconut oil for 200g of oats. Toast the oats, nuts and seeds in oven on low (gas3 or 4) for 15 - 20 minutes on baking tray. The coconut flavour and roast hazels disguise the flax! Add fruit when cooked.
Thank you for the reminder cat. I buy the ground variety and keep it stored in airtight container in cool place. It doesn’t keep as long as whole seed.
That's really good to know, as I put a tablespoon of milled flaxseed in my daily smoothie as well as a tablespoon of chia seeds. Gives it a nice earthy flavor along with my regular fruit, berries and kale.
We heard that too and are both having the milled flaxseed now though I’m the only one with paroxysmal AF - and we already take a multivitamin and mineral for over 70s (since we stopped having the ones for over 50s).
Nice to see all your comments - thank you
One thing you may have noticed is that Michael Moseley said milled flax oxidise (unlike whole flax seeds) so he says milled flax shoulds be kept in the fridge where it keeps well ...
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